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LEWIS BURRIS, Company "D"


BURRIS

Benjamin Burris (left), 1st Iowa Volunteers, and his brother, Lewis, 1st W.Va. Cavalry

[Lewis Burris is holding a Model 1851 Colt Navy - 36 caliber.]

This collection was sold, at cost, to a descendant of Lewis Burris.


Special thanks to Dorothy Muzopappa, grandniece of Lewis Burris,
for her contribution to this project.


THE BURRIS FAMILY

Research by Linda Cunningham Fluharty.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

     Lewis Burris was born 09 Oct, 1842, at Belmont County, Ohio, the son of John Burris & Sarah Howell.

#1298, 1850 Federal Census of Pease Township, Belmont County, Ohio: JOHN BURRIS, 32, farmer, b. Ohio; Sarah, 32, b. Ohio; Benjamin, 10, b. Ohio; LEWIS, 8, b. Ohio; Levina, 6, b. Ohio; Nancy, 2, b. Ohio.

     John Burris died 26 Dec 1851. Sarah then married THOMAS LINN, 13 Aug 1857 in Belmont County, Ohio.

#742, 1860 Federal Census of Warren Township, Jefferson County, Ohio, shows THOMAS LINN, a farm laborer, and family, residing on the farm of Andrew Shannon: THOMAS LINN, 50?, farm laborer, b. Ohio; Sarah, 45, b. Ohio; Wm, 31?, farm laborer, b. Ohio; Elisha, 30, farm laborer, b. Ohio; Mary, 25, b. Ohio; Benjamin BURRIS, 22, farm laborer, b. Ohio; Malvina, 19, b. Ohio; Albert ?, 14, b. Ohio; Joseph BURRIS, 12, b. Ohio; Wilson ?, 10, b. Ohio; Caroline LINN, 2, b. Ohio.

1860 census of Jefferson County, Ohio - LEWIS BURRIS, 17, residing in the home of J. P. Jordan, a farmer.

     At age 20, LEWIS BURRIS enrolled at East Richland, Ohio and mustered into Company "D" 1st W. Va. Cavalry, 01 Oct 1861, at Wheeling, W. Va. He re-enlisted as a Vet. Vol. 23 Dec, 1863 at New Creek, W. Va., under Gen'l Order #191 War Dep't Series of 1863. He mustered out 08 Jul 1865.

     BENJAMIN BURRIS, brother of Lewis, enlisted 06 May 1861, Company "C", 1st Reg't. Iowa Volunteers. He died of typhoid fever in Boonsville, Missouri on 20 Jul 1861. His mother, SARAH BURRIS LINN, filed for a Federal pension based on his service. In a sworn affidavit, 06 Mar 1891, Sarah states that in 1861 her family included Benjamin, 21; Lewis, 19; Lavina, 16; Joseph, 10.

     On August 3, 1865, Lewis Burris was married to Julia Rebecca Yost in St. Clairsville, Belmont County, Ohio, by I. Neiswanger, J. P. Their children were: Katie V. [Katherine Viola; d 1 Aug 1916] Burris, born 14 Mar 1874; Van Herman Burris, born 18 May 1884; Lewis Wilbur Burris, born 15 Jul 1888.

     Lewis Burris died 18 Nov 1914 (In Casket) and is buried in the G.A.R. burial plot in Linwood Cemetery, Blaine, Belmont County, Ohio (Tombstone).


TINTYPE IMAGES & CIVIL WAR MEDAL


Dorothy Muzopappa

     For many years, Dorothy (McFarland) Muzopappa, who resided near Eldersville, Jefferson Twp., Washington County, Pa., had the tintype images of Lewis and Benjamin Burris in her possession. Her grandfather was Joseph Burris, brother of Civil War soldiers, Lewis and Benjamin (See "Joseph Burris" at the bottom of this page.).
     In 1998, Mrs. Muzopappa sold the homeplace in Pennsylvania and moved to nearby West Virginia. The tintype images of Lewis and Benjamin Burris were among the items sold at an auction prior to her move. She later sold the West Virginia "Honorably Discharged" medal because she wanted the images and the medal to stay together.


NATIONAL ARCHIVES PENSION FILE

Transcribed by Linda Fluharty.

From: Commissioner of Pensions
(No Date visible)

Sir:
     I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt from your Office of applications for Pension No. 260.238, and to return it herewith, with such information as is furnished by the files of this Office.
     It appears from the Rolls on file in this Office that LEWIS BURRIS was enrolled on the 15th day of August, 1861, at EAST RICHLAND in Co "D", 1st Regiment of W. Virginia Cavalry Volunteers, to serve three years or during the war, and mustered into service as a PRIVATE on the 1st day of October, 1861, at Wheeling, Va., in Co "D" 1st Regiment of W. VIRGINIA CAVALRY Volunteers, to serve THREE years, or during the war. On the Muster Rolls of Co "D", of that Regiment, to DECEMBER 31, 1863, he is reported present. Re-Enlisted as a Vet. Vol Dec 23, 1863. September & October 1864 (Next muster roll of Co on file) Absent, by order at Dismounted Camp. Nov & Dec 1864 absent sick in Hospital at Baltimore, Md. Subsequent muster roll of Company not on file. Private honorably mustered out with the Company July 8, 1865 at Wheeling, W.Va.
     Return for January & February 1864 not on file. March 1864, he is not reported absent. Subsequent returns to December 1864, not on file. January 1865 not on file. Feb 1865 absent; at Re mount Camp.
     March 1865 absent. Division Teamster.
April 1865 absent (cause or place not stated).
May or June 1865, not reported absent.
     Company or regimental books do not furnish any evidence of injury as claimed.

Signed by S. V. Benjamin, Assistant Adjutant General.


"A" Declaration for Original Invalid Pension. "A"

State of WEST VIRGINIA
County of OHIO

     On this 20 day of June A.D., one thousand eight hundred and seventy eight personally appeared before me SAML B. McCOLLOCH Circuit Court Clerk; the same being a Court of Record of the County and State aforesaid LEWIS BURRIS a resident of MARTINS FERRY County of BELMONT State of OHIO who being by me duly sworn according to law, on his solemn oath, deposes as follows, to wit:
     I am the identical LEWIS BURRIS who was enrolled on the 9th day of September 1861 in Company "D" of the 1st Reg't of West Virginia Vols., commanded by W. C. CARMAN and I was honorably discharged at Wheeling, W.Va. on the 8th day of July 1865 and my age is now 37 years. While in the service aforesaid, and in the line of my duty I received the following disability, to wit:
     "In the spring of 1864, near Strasburg, W.Va. a horse fell on me, bruising me and causing the descent of the lower bowel, producing piles and weakening the rectum. Since that time, I have never been able to lift or do any hard work and the piles have afflicted me constantly. I claim a pension for injury and the piles."
     "I have never been employed in the Military or Naval Service of the United States otherwise than set forth above. Since leaving the Service, I have resided at MARTIN'S FERRY OHIO and my occupation has been MINER before my entry into the Service aforesaid. I was of good sound physical health, being at enrollment a FARMER and I am now nearly disabled from obtaining my subsistence by manual labor by reason of my disabilities above stated, received in the service of the United States, and I make this Declaration for the purpose of being placed on the Invalid Pension Roll of the United States. I hereby appoint and empower, with full power of substitution, Nathan W. Fitzgerald, of Washington City, DC my true and lawful Attorney to prosecute my claim. My Post Office is MARTINS FERRY County of BELMONT State of OHIO."
Signed by LEWIS BURRIS
Witnesses: J. DEAN & ---m COSS


Office of
N. W. Fitzgerald & Co.,
Attorneys and Counsellors at Law and Solicitors of Claims and Patents

     I hereby certify that I am a claimant for Pension No 260.238.
I was late of Company D, 1st Regiment W.Va. Vols, and the following is a full, true and correct statement of all treatment, received by me while in the service of the United States, to the best of my recollection: First I will state that after I was hurt a Surgeon called and gave me some Linament and rubbed my limbs and I was left in the tavern for some time after which I was sent over to Luray Valley to my Regiment after which time I did not receive any Medical attention during the time I was in the Service. I never was in any regular Hospital but was kept in the tavern refered to with others.
     Given this 14th day of October 1882
     and I further state my Post Office address is BRIDGEPORT, County of BELMONT State of OHIO.

Signed by LEWIS BURRIS.


Jacob Watson gave an affidavit on August 7, 1882, supporting the statement of Lewis Burris regarding the accident and the nature of his injuries.

Andrew Babb gave a similar affidavit that is stamped 29 March 1887.


Claimant's Affidavit
State of Ohio
County of Belmont

     Comes now LEWIS BURRIS Claimant for Original Pension No. 260.238 who being first duly sworn on his solemn oath, deposes as follows:
     "I am the claimant above named; for five years prior to my enlistment in the U. S. service, my place or places of residence were as follows: (blank).
My occupation since discharge has been Farming two years & since that Mining.
Since my discharge to the present time I have resided at the following place or places: First on Scoth(?) Ridge for two years, then in Martins Ferry until three years ago I came to Bridgeport where I now live.
     The following is a full and complete history of my disability and its occurence, from the time it first appeared to the present: In April 15th 1862 near Strasburg Va my horse fell with me and thereby causing the piles and bursting the rim of my belly.
     The following is a complete statement of all the treatment I have received for said disability, together with the names and places of residence of all the doctors who have treated me: I was first left in Strasburgh Va. A Doctor whose name I have forgotten gave me some medicine for the Piles and my other injury. I do not know that any of the doctors from whom I received any medicine or treatment are dead.
In 1866 I had an attack of Typhoid fever and was attended by Dr. Alexander.
I have been able by considerable effort to do some little labor all along a part of the time at farming & part of the time at mining and unable to labor about 1/2 my time.
     And I further declare that my present P.O. address is Bridgeport State of Ohio.

Signed by Lewis Burris
31 Dec 1883
Certified by D. E. Howell, Notary Public.


War Department
Surgeon General's Office
Record and Pension Division
Washington, D.C., Jan 12", 1884.

SIR:
     I have the honor to return herewith your request for a report of hospital treatment in Claim No. 260.238, with such information as is furnished by the records filed in this Office, viz: that Lewis Becris, Rank, Co and organization not stated was admitted to Hospl. 2" Cav Div. M.M.D., Oct 4/64, diagnosis not stated and transferred Oct 8/64. That L. Burrows, Corpl. Co D, 1" Va was admitted to Sheridan Field Hospl, Winchester Va Oct 9/64 with "Int. Fever" and transferred Oct 10/64 and that Lewis Burris, Co D. 1" Va Cav. was admitted to Jarvis G. H. Baltimore, Md., Oct 13/64 with "Int. Fever" and furloughed Dec 19/64, readmitted Jan 6/65 and returned to duty Jan 16/65.
     The name of this soldier does not appear on the records of Post Hospl. (Dismounted camp) Pleasant Valley Md from Oct 2" (date records commence) to Oct 4/64.
No records of the Reg't on file, nor of Strasburg, Va. subsequent to 1862.

Signed by B. F. Pope
Assistant Surgeon, U. S. Army


(Note: This questionnare was answered on 4 Jun 1898 & again on 28 Sep 1898. Slight variation in replies; combined here to reflect maximum info.)

Act of June 27, '90
Department of the Interior
Certificate No. 362.933
Lewis Burris

SIR:
     In forwarding to the pension agent the executed voucher for you next quarterly please --- returning this circular to him with replies to the questions enumerated below.
Very respectfully,
H Clay Evans

No 1. Are you married? If so, please state your wife's full name and her maiden name.
Answer. Yes Julia Rebecca Yost.

No 2. When, where, and by whom were you married?
Answer. August 3, 1865 St. Clairsville Ohio, I. Neiswanger, JP.

No 3. What record of marriage exists?
Answer. Recorded on Probate Judges Book of St. Clairsville

No 4. Were you previously married? Answer. No.

No 5. Have you any children living? If so, please state their names and the dates of their birth.
Answer. Three. Katie Viola Burris, March 14, 1874; Van Herman Burris, May 18, 1884; Lewis Wilbur Burris, July 15, 1888.

Signed by LEWIS BURRIS (Blaine, Ohio)


Act of May 11, 1912.
Declaration for Pension

(Note: This declaration form was filled out on 18 May 1912 & again on 9 Oct 1912. Slight variation in replies; combined here to reflect maximum info.)

State of OHIO, County of BELMONT, ss:
     On this 18th day of May, A.D. one thousand nine hundred and TWELVE, personally appeared before me, a NOTARY PUBLIC within and for the county and State aforesaid, LEWIS BURRIS who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is 69 years of age, and a resident of BLAINE, county of BELMONT, State of OHIO; that he is the identical person who was enrolled at WHEELING WVA, under the name of LEWIS BURRIS on the 12TH day of SEPT, 1861, as a PRIVATE, in Co D, 1st REGT MOUNTED VOL CAVALRY in teh service of the United States, in the CIVIL war, and was honorably discharged at NEW CREEK VA on the 31 day of DEC 1863.
That he also served IN CO D. 1ST REGT VET CAVALRY WEST VIRGINIA CAVALRY AND FINALLY DISCHARGED AT WHEELING JULY 8th 1865.
That he was not employed in the military or naval service of the United States otherwise than as stated above. That his personal description at enlistment was as follows: Height, 5 FEET 10 INCHES; complexion, FAIR; color of eyes, BLUE (states GREY on one form); color of hair, BROWN; that his occupation was FARMER; that he was born OCT 9th, 1842, at BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO.
     That his several places of residence since leaving the service have been as follows: PEASE TOWNSHIP, BELMONT COUNTY OHIO.
     That he is a pensioner under certificate No. 362933. That he has -- applied for pension under original No. ---.
     That he makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the pension roll of the United States under the provisions of the act of May 11, 1912.
     That his post-office address is BLAINE, county of BELMONT, State of OHIO.

Signed by LEWIS BURRIS


Declaration for a Widow's Pension
State of Ohio
County of Belmont
     On this 29" day of JANUARY, A.D. one thousand nine hundred and FIFTEEN personally appeared before me, a NOTARY PUBLIC within and for the county and State aforesaid, JULIA REBECCA BURRIS, aged 68 years, a resident of BLAINE, county of BELMONT, State of OHIO, who, being duly sworn, according to law, makes the following declaration in order to obtain pension under the provisions of the ACT OF CONGRESS APPROVED APRIL 19, 1908.
     That she is the widow of LEWIS BURRIS, who was ENROLLED under the name of LEWIS BURRIS, at WHEELING ISLAND WEST VA on the 13" day of SEPTEMBER, 1861 as a PRIVATE in CO D, 1st REG VIRGINIA MOUNTED VOLS., and honorably discharged DEC 31" 1863 having served ninety days or more during the late civil war.
     That he also served REINLISTED IN CO D. 1st REG VET CAVALRY VOLS DEC23 1863 AND DISCHARGED AT WHEELING WVA JULY 8" 1865 FOR THE SAID CO D 1st REG VETERAN WEST VIRGINIA CAVALRY.
     That he was not in the military or naval service of the United States otherwise than as stated above.
     That she was married under the name of REBECCA YOST to said soldier at ST CLAIRSVILLE, OHIO, on the 3" day of AUGUST, 1865, by I. NEISWANGER J.P. that there was no legal barrier to the marriage; that she had NOT been previously married; that the soldier had NOT been previously married.
     That the said soldier died NOV 18", 1914, at BLAINE, OHIO.
     That the soldier left the following-named children under the age of sixteen years of age, to wit: (Blank)
     And she has heretofore applied for pension ON APPLICATION FILED DEC 1914 AND THIS APPLICATION IS LIEU OF SAME AND TO CORRECT SAID APPLICATION.
     That her post-office address is (street and number)---, RFD ---, city or town of BLAINE, county of BELMONT, State OHIO.
Mark (X) of JULIA REBECCA BURRIS
Attest: Daniel H. Mergler & Mrs. Katie Smith
Certified by Robert H. Clayland, Notary Public
29 Jan 1915


General Affidavit
The State of OHIO BELMONT County, ss.
     In the matter of claim for JULIA REBECCA BURRIS WIDOW OF LEWIS BURRIS CO D REG MOUNTED VIRGINIA VOLS AND CO D 1st REG WEST VIRGINIA CAVALRY.
     On this 29" day of JANUARY A.D. 1915, personally appeared before me a NOTARY PUBLIC in and for the aforesaid County duly authorized to administer oaths, DANIEL H. MERGLER aged 38 years, a resident of BLAINE in the County of BELMONT and State of Ohio whose Post-Office address is BRIDGEPORT OHIO well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declared in relation to the aforesaid case as follows:
"I, Daniel H. Mergler, Pastor of the Pleasant Valley Presbyterian church at Blaine, Ohio, for the past three years called at the home of Mr. Lewis Burris and his wife Julia Rebecca Burris many times during that time. I have known them to be living together as husband and wife. I was present in the home at the time of the death of Mr. Lewis Burris, on November 18, 1914 and as his pastor had charge of the funeral services on November 21, 1914, and saw the body interred. Mr. Lewis Burris and Mrs. Julia Rebecca Burris lived together as husband and wife, without divorce, until the time of death of Mr. Lewis Burris."
Signed by DANIEL H, MERGLER
Pastor Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church, Blaine, Ohio.


General Affidavit
The State of OHIO BELMONT County, ss.
     In the matter of claim for JULIA REBECCA BURRIS WIDOW OF LEWIS BURRIS CO D REG MOUNTED VIRGINIA VOLS AND CO D 1st REG WEST VIRGINIA CAVALRY.
     On this 30" day of JANUARY A.D. 1915, personally appeared before me a NOTARY PUBLIC in and for the aforesaid County duly authorized to administer oaths, EZRA SMITH aged 71 years, a resident of BRIDGEPORT in the County of BELMONT and State of Ohio whose Post-Office address is BRIDGEPORT OHIO well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declared in relation to the aforesaid case as follows:
"I lived in the same village with Julia Rebecca Yost when she was a young girl and long before she was of a marriageable age and here testify that Julia Rebecca Yost was never married prior to her marriage to Lewis Burris lived in the same village and I also knew him well and also can testify that Lewis Burris was never married prior to his marriage to Julia Rebecca Yost and that I have lived near them ever since and know that Lewis Burris and Julia Rebecca Yost have lived together as husband and wife ever since their marriage without divorce until the death of Lewis Burris."

Signature of EZRA SMITH

(Note: Another affidavit with same content was given on 29 Jan 1915 by KATIE SMITH, age 41, of Blaine, Belmont County, OH. She was the daughter of Lewis & Julia.)


Certified Copy of Marriage Record
Probate Court, Belmont County, Ohio.
MARRIAGE LICENSE Issued August 3, 1865
LEWIS BURRIS and JULIA YOST

The State of Ohio, Belmont County, SS:
     The undersigned, being qualified acccording to law, says that Lewis Burris is Twenty One years old and has no wife living; that Rebecca Yost is Eighteen Years old and has no Husband living; that said persons are not nearer of kin than first cousins, and that the said Rebecca resides in said County;
     Sworn to and subscribed before me this 3 day of August, A.D. 1865

Jos. A. Harris, Dept. Clerk
The State of Ohio, Belmont County, SS:
     I certify that on the 3d day of August, 1865, Mr. Lewis Burris and Miss Rebecca Yost were by me legally joined in Marriage.
I. NEISWANGER, J.P.

The State of Ohio,
Belmont County, ss:
     I JOHN C. NICHOLS, Judge and Ex-Officio of the Probate Court within and for said County, hereby certify the foregoing to be a full and complete transcript from the Record of Marriages, Vol. 10, Page 426, required by the Laws of Ohio to be kept in the Probate Court of said County.
     Witness my signature and seal of said Court, at St. Clairsville, Ohio, this 28th day of Jan 1915.
Signed by JOHN C. NICHOLS, Judge.


(Handwritten, October 30, 1916)
Application for increase of my pension under Act Sept 8/16
Bellaire Ohio Head 49th Street Oct 30/16
The No. of my pension certificate is No. 789.578 on account of the service of my husband Lewis Burris, a private of Co D 1st reg, West Virginia Cavalry.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Sir. I am pensioned under certificate Number 789.578 because of the service of Lewis Burris. I was not his wife during the period of his service in the Civil War.
I was married to Lewis Burris Aug 3" 1865 at St. Clairsville Ohio by I. Neiswanger, J.P.
I am 70 years of age having been born October 29th 1846 Pease Township Belmont County Ohio.
I am entitled to the increase of pension provided by the 1st Section of the act of Sept 8th 1916.
Mark (X) of JULIA R. BURRIS
Bellaire Belmont County, Ohio
Head 49th Street
Signed in presence of: FLOSSIE BURRIS & MARGARET C. OSBORN


Julia R. Burris
789578 MAY WID
MEADOW LANDS PA
Finance Division
Nov 5 1927
     The name of the above-described pensioner who was last paid at the rate of $30 per month to Oct 4 1927 has this day been dropped from the roll because of DEATH Oct 6, 1927.
Signed by O. J. Randall, Chief, Finance Division.


JOSEPH BURRIS,
Brother of Lewis & Benjamin

JOSEPH BURRIS was married to Sarah Marlow in West Alexander, PA, by Squire Mayes, 04 Oct 1871. Sarah died 21 Nov 1887 and Joseph married SABINA CLEMENS, 1887.

Copies of Family Bible pages also name Joseph Burris, Sarah Marlow, his first wife, and his mother, Sarah Burris Linn.

1900 Federal Census of Jefferson Township, Washington County, PA: JOSEPH BURRIS, Head, b. Apr 1857, 43, Married 12 years, OH, OH, PA; SABINA, wife, Mar 1868, 3 children/3 living, PA, PA, PA.; Anna, 11; Martha, 8?; Laura, 2?.

1910 Federal Census of Jefferson Township, Washington County, PA: JOSEPH BURRIS, Head, 53, married 21 years. OH, OH, PA; Savanina, wife, 42, married 21 years, 4 children/4 living, PA, PA, PA; Laura D., 15; MARY H., 7.

1920 Federal Census of Jefferson Township, Washington County, PA: JOSEPH BURROUGHS, 67, and Sabina, 51, have daughter, MARY, age 17, at home.

MARY HELEN BURRIS married James McFarland.

Daughter, DOROTHY MAY McFARLAND - Born 09 May 1925 in Hamlin Station, Jefferson Township, Washington County, PA.

DOROTHY MAY McFARLAND married Anthony Muzopappa, 16 Jan 1949, at Lady of Lourdes in Burgettstown, PA.


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